An Ofqual-commissioned report released last month has provided an insight into the way Functional Skills, and other qualifications, are perceived. 80% of respondents indicated that they are familiar with Functional Skills, with almost two thirds saying they have a good understanding of the qualifications.

The survey, which was undertaken by Pye Tait Consulting, also shows that respondents from larger organisations had a better knowledge of Functional Skills, and that higher engagement in the qualifications is correlated to a greater seniority within an organisation. Those who have greater knowledge of the qualifications also gave more positive responses than respondents who were less familiar with them.

More than 2000 employers took part in the study, which was carried out in the early part of 2017 and focussed on Functional Skills Qualifications, Vocational and Technical Qualifications, and Apprenticeship End Point Assessments.